It’s puzzling that even after a recent pillow change, many men find their pillows turning both “yellow” and “oily.” Some men, despite daily showers, can’t seem to prevent their pillows from taking on this fate. Even bed sheets, collars, towels… none seem to escape the “black hand.”
Many people wonder, if “women are made of water,” then some men might be “fried in oil.” But why is this happening?
Men’s pillows
Why do they easily turn yellow?
1. High Sebum Production
Generally, men’s sebum secretion is more vigorous than that of women. Research shows that after cleansing, men’s sebum secretion every half-hour is on average 53% higher than women of the same age group, with the amount of sebum increasing correspondingly over time. The yellow color of sebum can stain light-colored clothing.
Squalene in sebum is the main culprit for yellowing pillows. Oxygen, ultraviolet light, metals, and other factors can cause squalene to undergo oxidation. Clothing contaminated with squalene is also more prone to aging and yellowing.
2. High Sweat Production
Men have higher levels of testosterone compared to women, and testosterone, the main component of androgens, promotes sweating in the body. According to data from the Journal of Experimental Physiology, under the same intensity of exercise, men sweat twice as much as women. It’s evident that men not only have strong sebum production but also excellent sweating capabilities.
Under the dual effects of sebum and sweat, pillows that come into contact with men’s skin tend to discolor. Additionally, some men neglect facial and head hygiene, exacerbating the change in pillow color.
How to alleviate pillow yellowing?
Men’s pillows are prone to yellowing due to their physiology. Although it cannot be completely solved, the following methods can be attempted to alleviate the issue:
1. Shower after Sweating Before Sleeping
After sweating, one should take a shower and clean the body before lying down to sleep, which can minimize the contamination and yellowing of pillows, bed sheets, etc.
2. Maintain Skin Hygiene
Areas with high sebum production can be gently wiped with warm water frequently. However, excessive cleansing should be avoided, with no more than two face washes per day recommended. Choose lightweight products primarily composed of water-based moisturizers (such as amino acids, glycerin, etc.), and avoid frequent use of deep cleansing products such as exfoliants.
3. Wash Hair Regularly
If the scalp is oily, it can be washed daily. However, choose mild, weakly acidic shampoos, and avoid high water temperatures and pressures to prevent stimulating hair follicles, damaging hair quality, and exacerbating oiliness and dandruff.
4. Maintain Healthy Dietary Habits
Greasy and spicy foods stimulate the secretion of sebaceous glands, and a lack of vitamin B in the body can also affect sebaceous gland secretion. It is recommended to eat more green leafy vegetables and eggs.
5. Regulate Hormones
Excessive stress, staying up late, etc., can affect the body’s endocrine system, causing abnormal sebaceous gland secretion and worsening oiliness. It is advisable to avoid staying up late often, engage in appropriate exercise, and ensure normal endocrine function.
Men’s vigorous sebum secretion and tendency to sweat mean that pillows, bed sheets, and other bedding should be regularly cleaned to reduce the breeding of mites, bacteria, etc.
“To solve a problem, one must start with oneself.” To effectively reduce family conflicts, it is suggested that male friends take the initiative to volunteer to clean their own pillows.